Protester interrupts RFK as he says he’s not anti-vax
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Robert F Kennedy Jr is the newest of Donald Trump’s controversial cupboard picks to be grilled by Senators as he vies to guide the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
The 71-year-old started going through the Senate Finance Committee at 10 a.m. ET and has declared a warfare on persistent sickness and refuted anti-vaxxer claims. RFK Jr is scheduled to go earlier than the Senate Well being, Training, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Thursday.
It follows Trump providing over two million US authorities workers eight months’ pay to give up as a part of his administration’s ambition to chop $1 trillion from the federal price range.
Federal staff acquired an e-mail with the topic line “A Fork in the Road” from the U.S. Workplace of Personnel Administration on Tuesday night. With a deadline of February 6, those that have been prepared to simply accept the “deferred resignation,” which might be efficient instantly with pay and advantages till September 30, would merely need to reply to the e-mail with one phrase: “Resign.”
A federal choose quickly blocked the president’s freeze on federal grants and loans on Tuesday afternoon simply minutes earlier than it was scheduled to take impact, setting a listening to for Monday morning.
RFK Jr says he’ll strengthen Aids aid program
“I absolutely support PEPFAR and I will work with you to strengthen the program,” RFK Jr says, referring to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Aid, which works to stop the unfold of HIV an infection.
PEPFAR was spearheaded by President G W Bush and endorsed by Dr Anthony Fauci to curb the Aids epidemic globally.
This system falls beneath the Trump administration’s authorities funding freeze.
David J. Kramer, government director of the George W. Bush Institute mentioned: “When a new administration takes over, it’s common to review programs and priorities. One of those programs is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved 26 million lives, including more than 7.8 million babies born HIV-free, over the past two decades. Like all other programs, PEPFAR should be subject to review, but a pause in its funding risks interrupting life-saving access to treatment, potentially placing millions of lives in danger.
He continued: “Presidents from four administrations – including impressive results during President Trump’s first term – have ensured that this program continues to effectively save lives. It’s vital that the Trump Administration exempt PEPFAR from the pause in funding so that it can continue to ensure that those on treatment continue to receive it uninterrupted. A successful, multiyear transition toward full country ownership of the effort has begun, but the mission is not complete. And we can’t stop now, because as President Bush reminded us at the outset of the program, all life is precious.”
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 16:02
RFK Jr quizzed about stance on measles as instances surge worldwide
Wyden pressed Kennedy on his stance on measles and his reference to a lethal outbreak in American Samoa in 2019.
Stated Wyden: “Measles are in fact deadly and highly contagious, something that you should’ve learned after your lies contributed to the deaths of 83 people, mostly of them children, in a measles outbreak in Samoa.”
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:54
Wyden assaults RFK Jr’s vaccine views
Sen. Ron Wyden assaults RFK Jr’s earlier statements on vaccines, each in the present day earlier than Congress and previously on podcasts and different media appearances by which he has expressed contradictory views.
‘Are you lying to Congress today when you say you are pro-vaccine or did you lie on all those podcasts?”
RFK says he’s been taking out of context: “You know about this Sen. Wyden, bringing this up right now is dishonest.”
Another protester stood and decried Kennedy’s activism on vaccines holding an indication that mentioned, “Vaccines save lives.”
Committee chairman Mike Crapo responded by saying he might put the committee into recess if the listening to continues to be disrupted.
Watch the total change between Wyden and Kennedy right here:
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:47
Watch: RFK Jr will not take away Trump’s cheeseburger and Food plan Coke
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:34
RFK interrupted in opening remarks by protester
RFK Jr says in opening remarks at his listening to: “News reports have claimed I am anti-vaccine and anti-industry. I am neither.”
A protestor yells out in response interrupting him.
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:28
Sen. Wyden provides brutal introductory remarks to RFK Jr listening to
Rating Democratic member of the finance committee, Sen. Ron Wyden, gave brutal introductory remarks in the beginning of the RFK Jr affirmation listening to, saying that his vaccine skepticism suits “the profile” of somebody “who chases” cash/affect “even if that may mean the tragic deaths of children and other vulnerable people.”
The senator additional mentioned: “Mr Kennedy has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He has made it his life’s work to sow doubt and to discourage parents from getting their kids lifesaving vaccines. It has been lucrative for him.”
Wyden additional argued that “from abortion to universal health care, Mr Kennedy has changed his views so often it’s nearly impossible to know where he stands.”
Donald Trump’s choice to nominate Kennedy to guide the highest well being company has drawn criticism from each abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion forces. Kennedy supported abortion rights throughout his presidential marketing campaign, though he additionally expressed assist for a nationwide 15-week or 21-week ban in a 2023 interview, after which a spokesperson claimed he misheard the query.
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:23
Why does Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have two affirmation hearings?
To succeed in the U.S. Senate for a vote on his nomination, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should bear two committee hearings: one earlier than the Finance Committee on Wednesday and one other in entrance of the Well being, Training, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday.
Oversight of the U.S. Well being and Human Providers businesses is split between these two committees. The Finance Committee is concerned as a result of the in depth $1.7 trillion company performs a big function within the nation’s financial system — overseeing insurance coverage for almost half the inhabitants, directing billions of {dollars} to states for Medicaid, and offering medical insurance for older Individuals by means of Medicare.
On the identical time, the HELP Committee additionally oversees the company’s applications and departments, together with the Meals and Drug Administration.
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:18
Chairman introduces RFK Jr noting his dedication to ending persistent illness epidemic
Senator Mike Crapo, the Republican chairman of the committee, offered an enthusiastic introduction to RFK Jr., highlighting that his dedication to addressing the persistent illness epidemic and reaching measurable enhancements in federal healthcare applications can be important as we attempt to sort out excessive prices and guarantee entry to high-quality healthcare for Individuals.
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:18
Watch LIVE: Trump’s well being secretary nominee RFK Jr. faces grilling from Senate at affirmation listening to
Oliver O’Connell29 January 2025 15:02
RFK Jr set to face Senators at 11
Robert F Kennedy Jr will face the Senate Finance Committee at 10 a.m. this morning, as he vies to be confirmed because the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
In his first affirmation listening to – with a second scheduled tomorrow with the Senate Well being, Training, Labor, and Pensions Committee – RFK Jr is predicted to refute claims that he’s an anti-vaxxer and declare a warfare on persistent sickness.
James Liddell29 January 2025 14:47
